At least 20 ISIL extremists, including a so-called commander were killed in northern Syria over the last 24 hours as part of the ongoing Operation Euphrates Shield, according to a Turkish General Staff statement early Thursday.

The Turkish army is supporting FSA fighters in liberating Al-Bab, a strategic city for ISIL, from the extremist group. Wednesday marks the 135th day since the city was surrounded in order to liberate it.

The Turkey-led Operation Euphrates Shield began in late August to improve security, support coalition forces and eliminate extrem threats along the Turkish border using FSA fighters backed by Turkish artillery and jets.